Mötley Crüe and KISS
[Photos via Spotify]

Is Nikki Sixx calling out KISS for using backing tracks?

Mötley Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx often takes to social media to express his unfiltered opinions. Today, the musician took aim at a new, currently unnamed target.

Sixx vented his frustration with bands who blast the use of background vocals in live performances, despite Mötley Crüe doing it themselves.

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“Certain band out on the road right now putting other bands DOWN and saying that they are a REAL rock band, no background singers, and other old people cranky comments except his lead vocals are on tape,” Sixx tweeted. “People in glass houses shouldn’t throw rocks. #GetOffMyLawn  #WizardOfOz”

Following drummer Tommy Lee calling KISS out for allegedly using a similar stage setup as Mötley Crüe, many fans believe Sixx is referring to the band’s End Of The Road finale tour yet again.

However, Gene Simmons has previously expressed a hard stance against the use of backing tracks. In a 2015 interview with news.com.au, the bassist/vocalist cited a handful of bands, not including Mötley Crüe, as the only ones left who don’t rely on the aid of electronics for live shows.

“I have a problem when you charge $100 to see a live show and the artist uses backing tracks,” Simmons says. “It’s like the ingredients in food. If the first ingredient on the label is sugar, that’s at least honest. It should be on every ticket—you’re paying $100, 30 to 50 per cent of the show is [on] backing tracks, and they’ll sing sometimes, sometimes they’ll lip sync. At least be honest. It’s not about backing tracks; it’s about dishonesty.”

Sixx went on to admit that Mötley Crüe have used technology to aid in live shows, but defended the choice, citing overall sound quality.

“We’ve used technology since 87. Been using sequencers, sub tones, background vox tracks plus background singers and us. Stuff we can’t tour with like cello parts in ballads etc. Same as NIN and everybody else. We love it and don’t hide it. It’s a great tool to fill out the sound.”

Nikki Sixx comments on Gene Simmons’ past behavior

This isn’t the first time Sixx has (possibly) called out Simmons, having grilled him for his comments on the subject of mental health in 2014.

Simmons made a lot of people angry in an interview where he basically dismisses depression as a mental illness:

“For a putz 20-year-old kid to say, ‘I’m depressed. I live in Seattle.’ Fuck you, then kill yourself. I never understand, because I always call them on their bluff. I’m the guy who says ‘Jump’ when there’s a guy on top of a building who says, ‘That’s it, I can’t take it anymore. I’m going to jump.’ Are you kidding? Why are you announcing it? Shut the fuck up, have some dignity and jump! You’ve got the crowd,” Simmons said. “By the way, you walk up to the same guy on a ledge who threatens to jump and put a gun to his head, ‘I’m going to blow your fuckin’ head off.’ He’ll go, ‘Please don’t.’ It’s true. He’s not that insane.”

According to Rolling Stone, this led to Sixx criticizing Simmons on his radio show:

“It’s pretty moronic because [Simmons] thinks everybody listens to him, that he is the God of Thunder. He will tell you he is the greatest man on earth, and to be honest with you, I like Gene. But in this situation, I don’t like Gene. I don’t like Gene’s words. There is a 20-year-old kid out there who is a Kiss fan and reads this and goes, ‘You know what? He’s right. I should just kill myself.’”

Simmons later issued an apology on his Facebook page, saying basically the opposite of what he had:

“I was wrong and in the spur of the moment made remarks that in hindsight were made without regard for those who truly suffer the struggles of depression. I sincerely apologize to those who were offended by my comments. I recognize that depression is very serious and very sad when it happens to anyone, especially loved ones. I deeply support and am empathetic to anyone suffering from any disease, especially depression.”

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